The 2015 edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix took place last weekend on the streets of Singapore, with some added value to the usual support race of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA), with the brand-new TCR in both the International and Asia Series.
As for the Porsches, local driver Rodolfo Ávila was one of the most frequently-mentioned names from within the commentary box of Singapore Marina Bay Circuit. Racing under the Macau flag, Rodolfo displayed solid skills in both races but stayed one step away from the podium in both situations. There were two fourth place finishes for Ávila, who still performed some great feats on the 23 turns of Singapore as he fought for third position.
Action on the track during Race 1 on Saturday was highly limited as the Malaysian driver Alif Hamdan went spinning and encountered some difficulties in removing his car from a dangerous position. This forced Hamdan to run the majority of his race under the safety car, giving a comfortable win to the New Zealand driver Craig Baird.
Yesterday’s Race 2 was dominated by China’s Tung Ho-Pin, who had already crossed the finish line on Saturday in second place, finishing a superb overall performance. Ávila was fourth but his race was fast and furious.
The TCR series was one of the big selling points of this year’s racing program, and provided spectators with quality entertainment. Ávila was racing for the first time in Singapore with another driver from Macau, Filipe Souza.
The weekend was unfortunate for Souza. In Saturday’s race, he was taken out by another driver in the early stages and did not have a chance to race at all. Hong Kong’s Michael Choi, driving a Honda Civic TCR, won TCR Asia Series Race 1.
Yesterday’s race was a little better. Although Filipe encountered some obstacles – as some of the car’s mechanical issues could not be fixed – he finished fifth in race 2, and was promoted to fourth due to a penalty given to Kenneth Lau from Hong Kong, also from the Stewards. Michael Choi reasserted his dominance with another win on this second race. RM
next races
pCCA – Last two rounds of the season, Shanghai International Circuit, China, October 30 – November 1.
TCR Asia – 24-25 October, Buriram International Circuit, Thailand.
Vettel wins GP to liven up F1 title race
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won the Singapore Grand Prix yesterday and runaway championship leader Lewis Hamilton retired mid-race, injecting new life into the fight for the Formula One title.
Vettel led from start to finish in a race that was temporarily interrupted by a fan wandering on the track.
Vettel’s third win of the season came by 1.4 seconds over Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was third, as all three finished in the positions they started at the Marina Bay street circuit.
“I was able to look after my tires and control the pace,” Vettel said. “Overall a perfect weekend, I am very, very happy.”
Hamilton suffered a power delivery failure that the team took a long time to diagnose and could not fix, forcing him out on lap 33.
His championship lead over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who finished fourth, was cut from 53 to 41 points — 252 vs. 211 — with Vettel a further eight points back on 203. There are six races left.
Williams driver Valterri Bottas was fifth yesterday, Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat sixth and Force India’s Sergio Perez seventh.
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